Specific HCV NS3 protease inhibitors

Abstract

The present invention is directed to compounds, compositions and methods for treating or preventing viral infections, in particular, HCV in human patients or other animal hosts.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound of Formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, thereof, wherein 
         J and J 1  can be present or absent, and when present, are independently selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl (C 1 -C 6 ), aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, keto, hydroxy, amino, arylamino, carboxyalkyl, carboxamidoalkyl, halo, cyano, formyl, sulfonyl, and sulfonamido; and 
         R is alkyl (C 1 -C 10 ), cycloalkyl (C 3 -C 8 ), aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl, 
         wherein the compound can be present in the form of individual enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, racemates, or mixtures thereof. 
       
     
     
       2. The compound of  claim 1 , wherein the compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is in the form of individual enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, racemates, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       3. A method for treating an HCV infection, or reducing the biological activity of HCV, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of  claim 1  to a patient in need of treatment thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the compound is administered in combination with another anti-HCV agent. 
     
     
       5. A method for inhibiting NS3 serine protease activity, comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 1  to a patient in need of treatment thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said compound is administered to a patient and is formulated together with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier into a pharmaceutically acceptable composition. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said compound is administered to a patient and is formulated together with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier into a pharmaceutically acceptable composition. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the compound administered to said patient is formulated together with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier into a pharmaceutically acceptable composition. 
     
     
       9. The compound of  claim 1 , wherein one of J or J 1  is F. 
     
     
       10. The compound of  claim 1 , wherein R is t-butyl. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 3 , wherein one of J or J 1  is F. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 3 , wherein R is t-butyl. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 5 , wherein one of J or J 1  is F. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 5 , wherein R is t-butyl. 
     
     
       15. The compound of  claim 1 , wherein the moiety: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       is 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the moiety: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       is 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       17. The compound of  claim 5 , wherein the moiety: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       is 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       18. A compound having the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       19. A method for treating an HCV infection, or reducing the biological activity of HCV, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of  claim 18  to a patient in need of treatment thereof. 
     
     
       20. A method for inhibiting NS3 serine protease activity, comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 18  to a patient in need of treatment thereof.